McDiesel
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• Greenville/Spartanburg, SC, USA |
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• Registered on 9/2/2004 |
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• 8 posts |
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 Posted:4/1/2005 07:03 |
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I've got the Hiddden Hitch brand front reciever hitch on order from JCWhitney and I inquired with Hidden Hitch about their note to remove factory fog lights for installation. Here's their response:
QUESTION:
The notes for item Part # 5010 states that Factory fog lights need to be removed to install hitch. Is this permanent or temporary.
ANSWER:
It is permanent. There is no way to retain them.
Has anyone experience this same issue? Did you find a way to adapt and replace the fog lights? I don't have fog lights, but was planning on adding the factory set. I may need to put some somewhere else. |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:4/1/2005 07:47 |
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McDiesel,I know Scott has a Hidden Hitch installed on his Excursion and from his photo the lights would have to come out.
Here's a Past Thread Link on a similar subject. 
Bill
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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JohnBoy
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• DFW, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 9/3/2002 |
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• 972 posts |
• 2 Vehicles
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Posted:4/1/2005 09:31 |
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Hi Mac....
would consider getting aftermarkets rather than the stock ones....
while the factories are good quality, there are better for cheaper in the aftermarket...
Check out a front lite bat mount that will not interfere with your hitch and you can still lite up the night while your pushing that boat into the water !!!
CHP's and mine may not work for you, but here's a pic of mine:
http://www.supermotors.org/registry/vehicles/showmedia.php?id=116738
2005 6.0L 4x4 Eddie Bauer Ex
2003 6.0L 4x4 Limited Ex - traded in (BooHoo )
"The Republicans should back off and let men marry men, women marry women, and legalize abortion. In three generations there would be no Democrats." |
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CoolStrategist
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/11/2005 |
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• 79 posts |
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Posted:4/1/2005 15:21 |
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Johnboy,
I like the look of your front bar and lights. Can you please tell me the exact make of the bar and approx cost, the model PIAAs, and whether the bottom fogs are piaas?
Also, I am seeing correctly...is your license plate significantly obstructed by the aftermarket bull bar?
Thanks!
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Black 2003 4x4 Limited V10; 285/75 BFG Dueler Revos; Viper 791xv Remote Start and Alarm with voice module; Hellwig Rear Sway Bar; Go Industries Rancher Grill Guard; Limo Tint; Rancho RS9000X Shocks; Line Of Fire LED Lights; WeatherTech Dark Window Deflectors; 2005 Heated, Signal, Running light TTT mirrors; PIAA 550 Driving/Fog Lights; PIAA 9007 Headlights w/upgraded wiring harness (bright!); PIAA 9005 fogs; Optima Yellow Top battery |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:4/1/2005 15:51 |
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From a legal standpoint in Texas yes his license plate is clearly obstructed,the state name and plate numbers have to be unobstructed straight on.
I'm unsure what Illinois laws are regarding plates.
I believe his bull bar is a Westin?
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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CoolStrategist
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/11/2005 |
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• 79 posts |
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Posted:4/1/2005 16:03 |
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The front plate is mandatory in Illinois so obstruction would not be permitted. Where I live I am unlikely to be pulled over.... but then again there are a lot of bored officers looking for something to do...
Well maybe I should just get the Ranch Hand grill guard I have been looking at for over a month! I am just torn between the bull bar and grill guard since I really won't be using either for the intended purpose.
I can then add fogs and additional lights to it.
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Black 2003 4x4 Limited V10; 285/75 BFG Dueler Revos; Viper 791xv Remote Start and Alarm with voice module; Hellwig Rear Sway Bar; Go Industries Rancher Grill Guard; Limo Tint; Rancho RS9000X Shocks; Line Of Fire LED Lights; WeatherTech Dark Window Deflectors; 2005 Heated, Signal, Running light TTT mirrors; PIAA 550 Driving/Fog Lights; PIAA 9007 Headlights w/upgraded wiring harness (bright!); PIAA 9005 fogs; Optima Yellow Top battery |
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JohnBoy
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• DFW, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 9/3/2002 |
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• 972 posts |
• 2 Vehicles
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Posted:4/1/2005 16:47 |
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Thanks, I like it because it's not TOO big... and matches the all black Ex..
and Yes, it is a Westin bull bar in black...
(they also come in Chrome with an optional chrome "rock guard" at the bottom...)
http://www.westinautomotive.com/pages/westin%20ultimate%20bull%20bars-overview.html
The lights are Piaa 520's - LOT'S of light !!!
(black matched and black was cheaper !!!!!! )
http://www.truckcustomizers.com/search.php?newSearch=Y&searchText=piaa+520
IIRC, the bull bar, piaa 520's, and installation was in the $500 range at a local speed shop...
not bad in my mind...
the bottom lights are the stock fogs I moved down from their stock location....
using some aftermarket brackets...
But they hung too low and I've since scrapped one of them off the bar... 
getting some low profile (narrower) lights to mount there soon ....
(the bullbar can have two lights on top the crossbar and up to three lights on the bottom....)
and FYI, for the legal disclaimer :-)
I took the picture just before I moved my license plate up where it is clearly visible above the cross bar... and between the lights...
(just used two sheet metal screws on the horizontal body member right above the stock plate...)
No problems thus far in two years of running like that...
2005 6.0L 4x4 Eddie Bauer Ex
2003 6.0L 4x4 Limited Ex - traded in (BooHoo)
"The Republicans should back off and let men marry men, women marry women, and legalize abortion. In three generations there would be no Democrats." |
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McDiesel
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• Greenville/Spartanburg, SC, USA |
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• Registered on 9/2/2004 |
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• 8 posts |
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Posted:4/4/2005 10:16 |
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Just an update to the install of the Hidden Hitch front receiver. The Hidden Hitch instructions are for the F-250/F-350. The instructions state the bumper is removed with four bolts. In my case and perhaps for all Ex's, it is actually six which includes the two bolts that connect an A-frame bracket to the side of the frame on both sides. After this, the bumper removes easily.
I found that the slotted holes on the Hidden Hitch are slightly misaligned with the holes on the frame front end...I don't think their manufacturing quality is the very best. Luckily the threaded portion of the mounting carriage bolts would go through the holes fine, but the square under the head of the carraige bolt was the problem. I provided a slight undercut by grinding 1mm off one flat of each carriage bolt and Whalaa. Accessing the flange nuts on the backside with a wrench was another story. I was only able to torque three (guttentight range) with a small head wratchet.
The Hidden Hitch offsets the bumper forward approximately .250 inch with the spacers to clear the heads of the carriage bolts, so the two bolts that connect the A-frame brackets to the side frame will barely mate with the slotted holes in the frame.
All in all it was about an hour job with the wifey to assist with holding the bumper. I'd rate it 2 bloody knuckles out of five for difficulty. I'm now looking forward to jockeying around travel trailers with a better view and manipulation. I'll research some recommendations on other than OEM fog lights since these now won't work.
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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 Posted:4/4/2005 10:26 |
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Glad to hear you gottit it all installed with the gracious help of the wifey
You'll find the utility of the front hitch probably of more value than the driving lights even tho a little more lighting on the dark backroads do help 
Post up alternative lighting options on the horizon
Bill
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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JADFPE
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• Edgewood, MD, USA |
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• Registered on 1/9/2002 |
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• 3 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:4/6/2005 09:39 |
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I have the same front receiver but do not have the factory installed fog lights. I have been told you can shim the front bumper and reinstall the factory fog lights. I am not sure how much you need to shim the front bumper out.
Hope this helps,
John  |
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